Depression runs in my family. I've always managed to overcome it until 3 years ago, after my divorce and taking care of my dying daddy for a year. And now, with the peri menopausal stuff, I feel like I'm in a dark hole. All I want to do is sleep. My job is suffering, my life is suffering. I am currently on an antidepressant and it seems like it works ok and then all of a sudden, let something stressful happen and immediately I sink further. Can someone please help me, tell me this is normal for depression and how do you overcome it? I never thought I would be here.

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2 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:New here, need helpDepression runs in my family. I've always managed to overcome it until 3 years ago, after my divorce and taking care of my dying daddy for a year. And now, with the peri menopausal stuff, I feel like I'm in a dark hole. All I want to do is sleep. My job is suffering, my life is suffering. I am currently on an antidepressant and it seems like it works ok and then all of a sudden, let something stressful happen and immediately I sink further. Can someone please help me, tell me this is normal for depression and how do you overcome it? I never thought I would be here.

Sorry for all your troubles! Unexpected wrenches in life can certainly trigger depression. And hormonal changes can cause it too. I had a hysterectomy (totally unwarranted at that). The loss of my hormones caused me to spiral quickly into suicidal depression. I'm sure that betrayal by the gynecologist I had respected for 20 years didn't help matters.

Since I knew mine was hormonal, I resisted taking an anti-depressant but instead chose HRT. But all HRT is not created equal and the gyn who gutted me refused to see me when I told him the HRT he prescribed was not working. I had to find a doctor who understood the strong hormone and depression link. In the meantime, I forced myself to exercise (walk) almost every day to raise endorphins. Research has shown that it can be just as effective as AD's. In hindsight, it may have been better to try an AD. But once I got on a more suitable form and dosage of HRT (estrogen in my case), the depression lifted. I still have a lot of anger over what was done to me by this doctor and all the long-term harm and rapid aging it has caused but at least the depression is gone.

Please pursue treatment (meds, therapy) for your depression if it is severely impacting your life. And if the situation becomes an emergency, take appropriate action. Best to you!

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:New here, need helpSorry for all your troubles! Unexpected wrenches in life can certainly trigger depression. And hormonal changes can cause it too. I had a hysterectomy (totally unwarranted at that). The loss of my hormones caused me to spiral quickly into suicidal depression. I'm sure that betrayal by the gynecologist I had respected for 20 years didn't help matters.

Since I knew mine was hormonal, I resisted taking an anti-depressant but instead chose HRT. But all HRT is not created equal and the gyn who gutted me refused to see me when I told him the HRT he prescribed was not working. I had to find a doctor who understood the strong hormone and depression link. In the meantime, I forced myself to exercise (walk) almost every day to raise endorphins. Research has shown that it can be just as effective as AD's. In hindsight, it may have been better to try an AD. But once I got on a more suitable form and dosage of HRT (estrogen in my case), the depression lifted. I still have a lot of anger over what was done to me by this doctor and all the long-term harm and rapid aging it has caused but at least the depression is gone.

Please pursue treatment (meds, therapy) for your depression if it is severely impacting your life. And if the situation becomes an emergency, take appropriate action. Best to you!

Thank you so much for responding. The doctor does have me on birth control as HRT. That has maybe help a tiny bit. I know that I need to get out and walk more and ride my horses, but my motivation sucks. I am work in progress though. This site does help though knowing how others are handling this. Thank you again for responding.

Thanks for your Reply!

Report This| Share this:New here, need helpThank you so much for responding. The doctor does have me on birth control as HRT. That has maybe help a tiny bit. I know that I need to get out and walk more and ride my horses, but my motivation sucks. I am work in progress though. This site does help though knowing how others are handling this. Thank you again for responding.

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